January 17, 1961: President Eisenhower delivered a speech three days before President-elect Kennedy's inauguration: three days that were the culmination of a lifetime of service that took Eisenhower from rural Kansas to West Point, to the battlefields of World War II, and finally to the Oval Office. As president, Eisenhower--former Supreme Commander of Allied Forces during World War II--guided the U.S. out of war in Korea, through the threat of nuclear war with Russia, and into one of the greatest economic booms in world history. In his last address to the nation, Eisenhower looked to the future, warning U.S. citizens against the dangers of elevating partisanship above national interest, the expansion of the military-industrial complex, debt-heavy government budgets, and the creeping political power of lobbyists and other special interests. Eisenhower intensely advised president-elect Kennedy in the time between his speech and the other man's inauguration, and continued to offer advice

Analyzes the last three days of the presidency of Dwight D. Eisenhower in January, 1961, including their foundations in Eisenhower's personal experiences as well as their effects on the presidency of John F. Kennedy and beyond.

Explores the presidency of Dwight D. Eisenhower through the lens of his last three days in office in January 1961, revealing him to be a model of strong yet principled leadership.